Fort Smith (Feb 16/04) - How would you walk if your shoes weighed 20 pounds each?

That was just one of the comedic challenges that faced participants of Fort Smith's first clowning workshop, Feb. 7.

This is Popett, the clown character created by Fort Smith's Wayne Hunter. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

Amateur clown/instructor Wayne Hunter combined serious analysis of the craft of clowning with a touch of goofiness and a description of the joy of making people laugh. The exercise with the 20-pound shoes was one of many on walking, talking and using props.

Hunter said putting smiles on the faces of everyone, from children to seniors, is immediate positive feedback and one of the best rewards of clowning.

"As a performer, you've just done it. It's like winning an award," he said.

Clowning can be therapeutic, he noted, and has even been proven to shorten hospital stays.

The workshop, which will be held every Saturday in February, got participants thinking about all aspects of being a clown -- make-up, props, walks, voices and character development.

Hunter has been a clown for 15 years, after getting involved as an amateur actor in Edmonton. For his day job, the 46-year-old is an administrator at Aurora College.

He has lived in Fort Smith for two years but made no local appearances as a clown prior to the workshop.

"My hope would be to look at the possibility of a clowning troupe for Fort Smith," he said, noting such a group could make visits to hospitals and perform in parades.

No personality type

Hunter said there isn't any particular personality type attracted to clowning.

In fact, he said, some college students were surprised to learn he was giving the workshop.

"They don't associate me with clowning. That's a compliment," he said, explaining it means his clown is a separate entity. "He's real."

As workshop participant Linda Sheesley entered a colourful room at the Rec Centre, she said to Hunter, in mock surprise at his presence, "I never would have guessed in a million years."

Sheesley, director of patient services with the Fort Smith health authority, always wanted to be a clown. She recalls hearing her mother's voice telling her to, "stop clowning around."

Linda Keuhl, patient care coordinator at the health authority, also attended the workshop.

"It wouldn't be surprising to see professional people being clowns," she said, adding that those are people in high-stress jobs.

Hunter told workshop participants that clowning is an important fraternity.

"And it's worth doing right," he stressed.